A Break in the JonBenet Ramsey Case: Too Easy?

Aug. 17, 2006

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Though he allegedly told investigators he drugged and sexually assaulted the girl before accidentally killing her, JonBenet's autopsy report found no evidence of drugs. Her death, the report said, was caused by strangulation after a beating that included a fractured skull. The autopsy report describes vaginal injuries, but makes no conclusions about whether she was raped. Investigators in the case llater concluded there was no semen on JonBenet's body.

In addition, according to Thai police, Karr said he picked JonBenet up at school and took her to her home. But she was killed during Christmas break, when schools are in recess.

Linked to JonBenet by More Than Words?

The Ramsey case has generated monumental media attention in the last decade and is one of the most famous criminal investigations ever. Some observers say police should have gathered enough evidence to safeguard against possible allegations -- and anticipated criminal defense arguments -- of false confessions.

"You have to remember that they had been following Karr for months," Levin said. "They told Patsy Ramsey months ago that they were looking at him. I would imagine that they have gathered other pieces of evidence to protect against false confessions."

Still, there are many unanswered questions surrounding JonBenet's slaying.

One involves the ransom note found before JonBenet's body was discovered.

Patsy Ramsey first found a handwritten ransom note on the back staircase that demanded $118,000 -- the exact amount John Ramsey had received as a corporate bonus -- if the family ever wanted to see JonBenet again.

Levin has always wondered why JonBenet's killer left a ransom note.

If Karr killed JonBenet, he must have been obsessed with the little girl, Levin said, and would have had to have driven from Alabama to Colorado to kill her.

Levin suspects that Karr may have initially intended to abduct JonBenet, but that his plans went awry.

"Some things about this case have always bothered me, and one of them was why would someone rape and sexually torture someone and then leave," Levin said.

"It just doesn't make sense. That's why I believe that Karr -- or whoever killed JonBenet -- must have initially intended to kidnap her."

If Karr's confession is true, it is puzzling why he would talk so freely to investigators and reporters.

At the center of worldwide media spotlight, he may have been displaying some bravado, or he may have been driven by guilt, Levin said.

"There have been some killers who want to be the MVP -- most valuable player -- of killers and brag about the crimes they have committed and the list of victims they have," Levin said. "And there are some who have a conscience and are guilt-ridden, even 10 years later."

'Let The Justice System Take Its Course'

Karr is expected to be taken within the week to Colorado, where he will face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and child sexual assault.

Prosecutors -- and John Ramsey -- have warned the media and the public not to jump to conclusions in the case.

"There are circumstances that exist in any case that mandate an arrest before an investigation is complete," said Mary Lacy, the Boulder County district attorney leading the investigation.